High potential and gifted education

At Illawong Public School, we recognise that many students show high potential, and we create everyday learning experiences that help this potential grow.

• Teachers design differentiated tasks that adjust pace and complexity to stretch thinking and support every learner. Ongoing formative assessment helps us monitor growth and tailor instruction, including offering advanced or compacted learning where appropriate.
• Learning is purposeful and engaging. Students learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills, take part in cross-curricular projects, and enjoy opportunities for choice, creativity, and authentic tasks. Our inquiry units link key learning areas around a central big idea, giving students the chance to explore concepts in depth.
• Classrooms use flexible grouping and collaborative activities so students can share ideas, present their thinking, and learn from one another. Supportive environments encourage exploration, self-assessment, and perseverance, with strengths-based feedback guiding students toward meaningful goals.
• Leadership opportunities are woven into both classroom learning and playground interactions, helping students build confidence and contribute positively to our school community.

At Illawong Public School, we foster a culture where high potential is noticed, nurtured, and celebrated.

Every student is individual, so opportunities are flexible and diverse.

• Authentic and integrated learning experince culminate in Unit of Inquiry presentations to the school community, fostering a deep connection.
• Talent is celebrated through Interschool creative arts schowcases such as In the Spotlight Drama Festival, Sutherland Shire Schools Music Festival, Dance Extravaganza, Combined Schools Concerts, Create South, inspire. Participation in music ensembles as a school choir hones students’ musical skills, discipline and ensemble awareness.
• Leadership grows through SRC, Student Leadership Team (Academic, Environmental, Creative, Sports, Play Pals, School Captain), Aboriginal Ambassador, Peer Support, mentoring and peer coaching, and wellbeing is made visible with frequent, visible awards.
• Academic excellent is continutally fostered and celebrated in school-wide programs suhc as debating, STEM and coding clubs, Academic competitions, Creative writing competitions.

Our students participate in a wide range of statewide programs to extend and enrich student potential.

• The Premier’s Debating Challenge helps our students to build logical arguments and confidence in public speaking.
• The Premier’s Spelling Bee promotes our students’ vocabulary development and attention to detail in competitive settings.
• Our STEM enrichment partnerships with industry and universities deepen our students’ intellectual curiosity while developing innovation and collaboration.
• Involvement in the Game Changer Challenge empowers our students to solve future-focused problems using design thinking.
• Pulse Alive is a performing arts event that celebrates the talents, diversity and creativity of students from across NSW public schools.
• The Maths Cup extension program supports students to engage in highly challenging collaborative problem solving as part of an interschool competition. Illawong students attend every year.
• The Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC) promotes whole-school participation in physical activity with leadership pathways and professional learning.
• The Representative School Sport Pathway and PSSA events enable our students to trial and compete in sports at regional, state and national levels, fostering discipline, commitment and collaboration.